Critical Analysis

1. According to the data, what federal agency is viewed most favorably by the U.S. public?

2. My postal carrier is a goofball but we know each other by name, know all about each other’s dogs, and we see each other almost every day. Which of the agencies and departments listed above do you have daily contact with?

3. How would you answer the same questionnaire about your level of trust of these agencies?

4. Explain why ICE is the agency the public views least favorably.

5. What are three things Congress can do to control these agencies and departments and what are three things the POTUS can do to control these agencies and departments?

6. How different do you think Democrats and Republicans view these agencies and departments?*

7. Do you think that most Americans even know what the Federal Reserve does? And do you even know what the Federal Reserve does?

8. If you asked most Americans if they trust the government, only 18% say, yes. However, these same Americans have a very favorable view of much of the actual government. How do you explain this dissonance?

9. What is your absolute favorite federal agency? Mine is the National Park Service (duh!). Write a rap about it and submit it in the comments section below!

10. No one enjoys paying taxes, yet 65% of Americans approve of the IRS. Explain this apparent contradiction.

Learning Extension

This cool new Pew report on American attitudes towards the government is about to be made into a movie by Disney. Check it out now!!!!! And do you even know what each of these agencies does? If not, educate yourself.

Action Extension

Next time you have contact with the federal government (it could be your mail carrier bringing you mail or an F.B.I. agent arresting you) thank them for their work (from 6 feet away) and ask them what people's attitudes are towards them. Share your thoughts about this interaction in class or online. Or, ask ten of your schoolmates their attitudes towards these agencies and departments and compare those results with the views expressed in the data.

Visual Extension